Classic Homemade Chili

Everyone needs a good Classic Homemade Chili recipe and this one is simply perfect! It’s made with ground beef (or ground turkey) and I’ve included tips for how to make chili on the stovetop or in the slow cooker.

Classic Homemade Chili

A basic chili recipe is something everyone should have in their recipe files! I’m talking about a no-nonsense chili with meat and beans, that’s super flavorful but really simple and easy to make. You could substitute ground turkey to make it turkey chili, or leave the meat out all together (and add more beans) to make a vegetarian chili.

Homemade Chili in 3 simple steps:

Cook onions. Cook the onions in olive oil for about 5 minutes until they are tender and start to get a little bit golden and caramelized.

Add remaining ingredients and simmer. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer for at least an hour, to allow the flavors to blend. Serve with a spoonful of sour cream and shredded cheese.

Additional Chili Add-ins:

This is a great recipe for a basic chili, and you can easily customize it to add other things you like! Try adding any of the following:

Cooked Bacon

Diced Bell pepper

Chopped Celery

You can also make this a meatless chili by leaving out the ground beef and ground sausage and doubling the beans.

To Make Chili in the Slow Cooker:

Cook the onion and brown the meat in a large skillet. Add the remaining ingredients to a large slow cooker and stir in the cooked meat and onions. Cook on low for 5-7 hours.